Personal Injury Lawyer in Portland, Oregon

Compassionate Counsel

You deserve representation that is compassionate, responsive, and relentless. At my Portland law firm you work directly with me from start to finish — not a case manager you never meet — and I keep you informed at every step while I take on the insurance company.

Struggling with an injury is hard enough without fighting an insurer for fair compensation. Under Oregon law you may recover medical bills, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more — and most injury claims must be brought within two years (ORS 12.110), so it pays to act early. Whatever happened, I can help you pursue full and fair compensation. Find out what your case is worth or call (503) 379-9933.

How Oregon personal injury law works

Every injury case is different, but a few rules shape almost all of them in Oregon. Knowing them early protects your claim.

You have a limited time to file

Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (ORS 12.110). If a city, county, or state agency is involved, the Oregon Tort Claims Act requires written notice of your claim — generally within 180 days, or within one year in a wrongful death case (ORS 30.275) — and missing that deadline can cost you the claim no matter how strong it is.

Being partly at fault doesn’t end your case

Oregon follows modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, with your award reduced by your share of the blame (ORS 31.600). Insurers often exaggerate your fault to cut what they pay — don’t assume you have no case.

Your own insurance may help first

In auto cases, Oregon requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who was at fault (ORS 742.520). Using PIP correctly — and protecting it from reimbursement games — is part of what I handle for you.

Compensation you can recover

When someone else’s carelessness injures you, Oregon law lets you pursue the full range of harm it caused — not just the bills you can staple together. Depending on your case, that can include:

• Medical expenses — past and future, including surgery, therapy, and long-term care
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Permanent injury, scarring, and disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Out-of-pocket costs and property damage
• In wrongful death cases, losses to the surviving family

Putting a full, defensible number on these losses — especially future and non-economic harm — is where trial experience matters most.

Why trial experience changes what insurers pay

Insurance companies track which lawyers actually try cases and which ones always settle. When an adjuster knows your attorney will take the case to a jury — and has spent nearly two decades doing exactly that — the math changes, and so does the offer.

I prepare every case as if it is going to trial: I gather the evidence, work with the right experts, and build the story of how your injury happened and what it has cost you. Most cases still settle — but they settle for more because the other side knows I am ready to go the distance.

What to do after an injury

• Get medical care right away and follow through on treatment — gaps in care are the first thing insurers use against you.
• Document everything — photos of the scene and your injuries, names of witnesses, and how the injury affects your daily life.
• Report the incident to the police, property owner, or employer as appropriate, and keep a copy.
• Don’t give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer — and don’t accept a quick offer — before you talk to a lawyer.
• Call early. Evidence disappears and deadlines run; getting counsel involved quickly protects your claim.

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost to hire you?

Nothing up front. I handle injury cases on a contingency fee — my fee comes as a percentage of what I recover for you, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The first consultation is free.

How long will my case take?

It depends on the injuries and how hard the insurer fights. Some cases resolve in months; serious cases that go into litigation can take a year or more. I move as efficiently as the facts allow and keep you updated throughout.

Should I take the insurance company’s first offer?

Almost never without advice. Early offers are usually well below what a claim is worth, made before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once you accept, you generally cannot reopen the claim.

Do I have to go to court?

Most cases settle without a trial. But I prepare every case for trial, and that readiness is often what produces a fair settlement.

How much time do I have to file?

Usually two years. If a public body is involved, you generally must also give notice under the Oregon Tort Claims Act — within 180 days for most claims, or within one year in a wrongful death case. Deadlines vary, so it is best to call as soon as you can.

There is no cost to find out where you stand. Find out what your case is worth or call (503) 379-9933.